Many people have expounded many theories, but the most convincing one is the child-bearing capacity of a woman. This generates a desire to create a safe, nourishing and nurturing environment within which the child can grow. (Among all mammals, humans have one of the longest weening periods for its young).

This is a intrinsic quid-proquo for women to have a greater decision-making role in the development and management of the local environment.

Notwithstanding the role that men as fathers will also have to play in this process, and notwithstanding gender stereotyping (!!), the role that women play in developing and managing the local (and as an extension, the global) environment will have a lasting and positive impact.